KCBD Investigates: Were the Dixons scamming the system?

LUBBOCK, TX (KCBD) -

Our KCBD Investigation has unveiled shocking new information about a Lubbock County couple charged with abusing one of their ten adopted children.

Dave and Wonda Dixon are still behind bars after investigators say they found deplorable conditions inside their home. Now, our investigation is raising some serious questions about their finances.

The Dixons receive thousands of tax dollars every month to care for their ten children, but the couple recently filed an affidavit saying they didn't have enough money to pay for a lawyer.

We found the couple had plenty of cash on hand for other things.

Our investigation revealed that the Dixons pay more than $300 for cable and Internet, $250 for cell service, and $800 for clothing. Those are just some of the expenses the Dixons say they pay every month. Those may sound like average living conditions, but not for a couple that's not working and raising ten children.

We spoke to a CPS whistle blower who told us some adoptive parents are simply gaming the system.

"When you're looking at these kids in the Dixon case, you're looking at a child farm," Carlos Mendoza said.

Several of the Dixons' adopted children have disabilities, which means the couple gets more than $5,000 per month from the state to subsidize their care.

"A child who has a disability, the home gets more money. For many foster parents, it is a business," Mendoza said.

Add the subsidy to their Social Security disability benefits and the family takes in more than $80,000 a year.

The Dixons are charged with Child Abuse and are accused of starving one of the children. The Dixons claim they are spending $500 a month on food for a family of 12. That breaks down to $41 a month per child and less than $1.50 a day.

Neighbor Bobby Wilson says he's watched the Dixons add thousands of dollars in improvements to their home.

"In the past 18 to 24 months they've built that yard up, put a fence up, added a double garage and everything," Wilson said.

A nice yard, a new garage, but not enough money for food? Documents obtained by KCBD revealed the Dixons' 12-year old daughter was seen by her teachers taking food out of the trash can at school. Eventually, she was admitted to the hospital for malnourishment, weighing only 57 pounds - a stark contrast to the life Bobby Wilson has seen play out across the street.

"They've got a nice place. They've built it up and put a lot of money into it since they've been there," Wilson said.

Wonda and Dave Dixon are still being held in the Lubbock County Jail on a $150,000 dollar bond.